SOUTH MAUI - Maui: Including Molokai and Lanai - page 311

ing trails which leave from the visitor center (mile marker 6 on Mokulele Hwy.) into the
Kealia Pond area. For those traveling from Ma'alaea to North Kihei, there's also a short
boardwalk that parallels the shoreline and offers a number of informative placards about
the island's native wildlife. The boardwalk takes about 30 minutes to walk to the end and
back, and if you plan on visiting it's best to approach from the Ma'alaea side of the road
because there's no left turn allowed into the parking lot off North Kihei Road.
Although there's a good chance you won't see any birds at all, another place to try
your luck is on the beachwalk running between the Kihei Boat Ramp and the south end
of Kamaole III Beach. The coastal dune system here is home to 'u'au kani (wedge-tailed
shearwaters), and the fledgling season is usually October-December. Those with an in-
terest in Maui County's seabirds should check out the Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Pro-
ject ( www.mauinuiseabirds.org ) .
Although Molokini Crater is best known as a marine reserve and world-class snorkel
and dive destination, few people know that the 161-foot tall islet is also a seabird sanctuary
above water. Molokini Crater is home to a healthy population of 'ua'u kani. If you're an
avid birder and are planning a trip to Molokini, bring a pair of binoculars to check out
what's happening above water.
Makena and Beyond
The best place for bird-watching in Makena is at Oneuli Beach by Makena State Park.
Although the chances of seeing many species of birds are slim, this coastal wetland area is
home to avians such as the 'auku'u (black-crowned night heron), 'alae ke'oke'o (Hawaii-
an coot), and ulili (wandering tattler).
Sights
MA'ALAEA
MM Maui Ocean Center
There isn't a snorkeling spot on the island where you're going to see as wide a range
of marine life as at the Maui Ocean Center (192 Ma'alaea Rd., 808/270-7000,
www.mauioceancenter.com , 9am-5pm daily, until 6pm in July and Aug., $25.50/adult,
$18.50/child). This three-acre marine park has the nation's largest collection of live trop-
ical coral. Children will enjoy the tidepool exhibits and the green sea turtle lagoon, but
everyone comes here to experience the 54-foot-long acrylic tunnel that runs beneath a